Music as torture, or, disco music as a weapon

Now that the United States officially believes that torture is an acceptable means of interrogation, the military (or rather the private sector non-military interrogators that we now use), has formalized its use of torturous music. I understand the concept. After five minutes in line at Disneyworld listening to endless loops of It's a Small World, I would gladly sign a confession that I am Jack the Ripper than listen to that happy little ditty one more time.

According to an NPR report aired 9/16, torturous music is being used to demoralize prisoners at the Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp. One guy, who apparently was picked up off the street in Afghanistan, claims he was very nearly driven insane by incessant loops of Ennemm played at ear-splitting levels, I feel his pain--as would any parent of a teen.

The idea of rock music as torture is apparently the brain child of some unknown CIA agent, who clearly preferred Lawrence Welk (and, no doubt, he now works for Clear Channel). It was played to flush out Noriega, once he became more liability than asset. I have often felt terrorized by the alarming repetition of Disco Music on what passes for music radio these days. But I don't think that the good folks who wrote the cloyingly I Love You theme for the Barney series thought that their music would be considered as a good candidate for torture. Maybe they never lived with a Barney obsessed a four-year-old.

The idea that torture is a good way to obtain useful information has been questioned by people who know better--but they aren't in charge. However, it sort of makes sense in this situation when played for people who want no part of our culture (and who are not jealous of our overpriced jeans, obsession with big breasted women, or form of government). The Inquisition used the rack, the Nazi's hung people on meathooks, South American dictators applied electrodes to genitals, and the US uses rock music. We seem wimpy by comparison, but new enemies require new methods of torture.

While I listened to the NPR report, I couldn't help wondering if the government has to pay a royalty to the artists every time their music is played. According to NPR, the jury is still out. Apparently, the government remains silent on that subject, which is odd when you think about how communistic that sounds. Shouldn't people be paid for their labor? Don't we have copyright laws? To paraphrase Joseph Welch: Have we no decency?

I would have thought that being held without charge, without hope of a hearing or trial and for an undetermined time might be torture enough without having by sense assaulted by endless loops of Rap Music--or worse, Disco. Apparently, I am wrong--yet again.